Yarn and method of spinning and twisting the same



July 27 1926. 1,593,715

T. FORREST YARN AND METHOD OF SPINNING AND TWISTING THE SAME Filed March '7, 1916 Envoy 0720?:

Tom/ Fbrwes 4.,

Patented July 27, 192%.

UNITED STATES TOM FORREST, OF NORTH ANDO 'V'ER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND it, rarsmr earner...

MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO DUPLEX YARN COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS,

A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

YARN AND METHOD OF SPINNING AND TWISTING THE Application filed. March 7, 1916..

This invention relates to yarns or threads and method of spinning and twisting the same. The invention aims to provide a novel yarn or thread and an improved machine for and method of spinning and twisting the same that will make it possible to spin a given grade of material, particularly worsted or other long fibred material, as distinguished from cotton, into finer and smoother threads or yarns, and reduce very materially both the time necessary for and the cost of performing the above operations. In this connection I use the term spinning with the usual meaning, as comprising the final drafting of the roving on the spinning frame and the imparting of the spinning twist to the individual strands.

The common practice, particularly in spinning worsteds, is to pass the roving through the several sets of drafting or draw ing rolls to reduce it to the desired size for the final drawing through the rolls upon the usual spinning frame from which it is led directly to the bobbins, the spinning twist being put into the single strand as it is wound on. The bobbins are then frequently removed to a twisting machine where two or more strands are twisted together to form a two-ply or multi-ply yarn.

During the passing of the strand of roving from the delivery set of drawing rolls on the spinning frame to the bobbin, the drafted roving, by the usual method, is subjected to quite a severe pull or drag which limits the degree of fineness to which a given grade of yarn can be spun, on account of the possi bility of a single strand having too few fibres or serrations to bear the strain or so-called drag.

Hence, in order to spin a finer thread or yarn than is now possible from a given grade of wool, cotton or other material, and partia ularly from low grade fibres, and I use the words threads and yarns generically and interchangeably herein, I have conceived the idea of reducing the length of roving subjected to the drag during the spinning of the separate strands. I also bring together and twist during the progress of the strands from the drafting rolls to the bobbin a plurality of strands of roving thus shortened andspun, the twist of the multi-ply thread or yarn running in the same direction as the spinning twist of the individual strands.

Serial No. 82,756.

By this method I practically blend the spinning operation into the twisting operation upon the same machine, the twisting of the muli-ply strands being effected preferably between the pot-eye and the bobbin where the strands of roving undergo the greatest strain.

My method of spinning and twisting, while decidedly novel, can be practiced upon many of the spinning frames in common use today by making some novel changes therein, as by removing every other spindle, bobbin and cooperating members and properly positioning those that are retained, as will more fully appear presently. For the purpose of aiding a clear understanding of my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawing so much as necessary of a worsted spinning machine for practicing my improved method of spinning and twisting a multi-ply yarn as by using a usual spinning frame changed as suggested.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a section of a usual spinning frame with the parts rearranged to permit the practice ofmy improved method of spinning and the production of my novel yarn, certain parts being broken away, and

Fig. 2, a side elevation of the same from the right.

Referring to Fig. 2, a roving a is shown as being fed between the usual sets of drawing rolls 6, 0, and intermediate carrying rolls d, d, d, on the spinning frame 6, and in Fig. 1, each drafted roving a and h is illustrated as a thread or yarn undergoing my novel spinning process from the forward or delivery pair of rolls 0 to the pot-eye f positioned intermediate the planes of travel of the revings a, and h, to be described, and from which the multi-ply yarn is carried to and wound on the bobbin g.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that, as previously described, a second roving 71, is fed from the delivery rolls 0 to and doubled with the roving a at or near the poteye Obviously, by bringing together and twisting the rovings a, h, at the pot-eye f, the strain usually imposed on each thread by the ordinary method of spinning between the drafting rolls and bobbin, is borne by a mult-i-ply strand, and the strain on the individual rovings being thus reduced, each may be individually spun finer, with a resulting finer product when twisted with other strands. This novel arrangement permits the spinning of a finer thread from a given fibre than is now possible.

Another novel feature of my improved yarn and result ot my improved process according to one manner of carrying it out is the production of a yarn having alternate sections of non-uniform or varying twist, and more specifically, alternate sections of rogressively hard and soft twisted yarn. io effect this object, the rovings a, it, must be separated sufliciently when delivered by the drafting rolls to permit the required effect of the transverse action or angul arly positioning ot-the rovings to be obtained as now will be described, and to permit the necessary spinning of each yarn separately, by locating. the doubling point of the two yarns at a substantial distance from the bight line of the, rolls.

Vhile I have shown a pot-eye having but a single aperture, I do not wish to limit my invention to such construction, as doubtless a double pot-eye or one with two apertures side by side would act equally well to restrain u-ndue movement of the rovings under the influence of the traverse, or other yarn positioning agency and thus prevent undue variation in the angles at which the yarns are fed from the rollers to the guide.

As the traverse c shifts the rovings a, h, back and forth in the usual manner longitudinally of the rolls a, 0, it will be evident that this sliifting resul'ts in making each rov ing a, 7L, during the spinning process thereof alternately the long and short one of the two, according to its position at any particular time relative to the pot-eye. As shown, Fig. 1, full lines the rovingh is the long one, and the roving a is the short one. In dotted lines the roving his shown in its opposite position as the short one of the two, while the roving a in its opposite position is shown as the long one.

It will be clear that the short roving a, as shown in Fig. 1 will be twisted to a greater extent or degree between the rolls 0-0 and the pot-eye f than the longer roving 71, and when the rovings are shifted by the transverse and the long roving h becomes the short roving itwill in turn, be twisted to a greater extent than the roving 21 which has become the long roving, this greater or harder twist being a progressive condition varying in degree as each roving gradually becomes first the long, and then the short one, of the two.

Obviously the relative extent of the twist imparted to the two opposed yarns may vary somewhat according to the variation inthe quality of the two yarns should they for any reason be of different qualities. This shifting of the rovings simultaneously with the spinning action obviously produces in the individual spun threads alternate lengths or sections of what are oppositely, progressively hard and soft "twisted thread; that "is, the section of a "given roving twisted from the time it-is the shorter to the time it is the longer one of the two, will be twisted progressively softer, while the following section of the same roving will be twisted progressively harder from the instant that it is the longer of the two during the time that it is becoming the shorter one of the two.

It will also be evident, therefore, that the bringing together at or near the pot-eye or the two oppositely, progressively hard and soft twisted rovi'ngs will result in the hard twisted end of one section of the roving a being folded. against the soft twisted end of the corresponding section of the opposite roving it, while the soft twisted end of the section of the first roving a will also be folded against the hard "twisted head otthe section of the opposite roving 71, producing a multi-ply thread of substantially uniform size, and relatively finer than any twoply thread that can now be produced by the common method. I am therefore able by my novel method of spinning, to spin a plurality of strands of roving substantially into complete threads or yarns, and then -double and "twist individual strands previously spun, both the spinning twist and the twisting twist being effected in the same '6 (1- tion simultaneously "and as one operation, and produce a inul'ti-pl'y 'o'i' "thread as soft as thread now produced by "the common method having the lengths of the two rovings a, 7L, in any given section or ninltily yarn formed during the travel at the roving from one end or thefi'ov'es c0 to the other will be equal because the rovings are fed at uniform speed. 1

The usual twisted niultiply thread made according to the common practice must be twisted, and folded, as a separate 'step or operation in the opposite direction to the spinning twist in the separate strands to keep it soft and pliable, because ifftw'j d in the same direction as the individual threads were spun, it would be hard to liandle, and unsuitable for ordinary warp use; but 'the thread produced by my improved process, as stated, -is son and il'iabl'e although twisted in the same direction ea -h time, and may be used in any case where such yarn is desired. I

The fact that my novel yarn produced by the process described is so l t and pliable, notwithstanding the fact that the spin'nii'ig twist and doubling twist are both imparted to the yarn in the same direction, I attribute to the peculiar formation of the individual yarns, as cesc'ribed, and the doubling of the two yarns in 'sucli a manner that the hard twisted end of one section o! one spun roving is folded with and agains the soft twisted end of the corresponding section of the opposite spun roving, while the soft twisted end of the section of the first roving is folded with the hard twisted end of the corresponding section of the opposite roving.

The doubling of the two yarns in this fashion is substantially the twisting together of two elongated, pyramidal, oppositely tapering yarn sections, and in this relation apparently permits each yarn to have a certain freedom of movement respecting and. novel effect on the opposite yarn, the soft twisted portions of one yarn apparently offsetting to a certain extent the effect of the harder twisted portions of the opposite yarn, which result is not obtained where both yarns are spun to substantially the same uniformity as in the usual multiply yarn. The result is the formation of a soft, pliable multi-ply yarn.

In producing a yarn having the characteristics pointed out above, namely, alternat-e sections of progressively hard and soft twisted yarn and in fact in any use of my method, the guide 3 is an important element. Obviously, in order to obtain the full effect in each yarn of the angular feed by which the length of separate yarns subject to spinning action are controlled, it is necessary that the two yarns be restrained in some manner at or near the doubling point so that the base of the angle formed thereby may be substantially fixed or its degree of angular ity fixed.

In any method of controlling the angular feed, the multi-ply yarn must be substantially held at some point at about the doubling .point of the two yarns, against travel, in order that the undoubled or free portions of the individual yarns may not be varied from the predetermined lengths subject to the spinning twist or prevented from becoming in turn the longer and the shorter of the two as it is fed from the rolls 0 to the pot-eye first at a progressively greatei. and second at a progressively less, and consequently progressively varying angle.

To attain this object, I make use of the guide 3 to receive a plurality of rovings, and it is positioned between and preferably substantially midway of the two drafting rolls, approximately three inches apart, and. between the planes of travel of the two rovings between the rolls. The guide being fixed between these planes of travel, it prevents the doubled yarn from moving laterally to any appreciable extent, and thereby ensures the individual, undoubled yarns partaking of the motion of the traverse to produce the result desired. Obviously, if the doubled yarns were not restrained as by the guide 3, they, too, would partake of. the motion of the traverse to such an extent that each of the undoubled yar 3 would be always substantially of the same length between the doubling point and the i'lrafting rolls, but less length in each strand would be provided in which to impart the individual twist and no progressive twisting action would be effected. Of course the traverse action or other angular controlling means for the threats, being but one method of mechanically controlling the separate different threads spun in such a way that the long thread or the one to take the greatest amount of spin may be definitely controlled, can be varied or omitted so that the harder spun end of one section of one strand may be folded with the harder spun end of the corresponding section of a second strand in the completed. yarn, or so that the sections would be omitted or not consecutive in either r both of the strands makii up the completed yarn. in any such case the product is not as satisfactory as that pro duced by the process above described, but these modifications and probably others would be within the scope of my invention.

It is, moreover, desirable for the strength of the yarns that each be spun until it is substantially a completed yarn before it is doubled with the other yarn or yarns. 'lo accomplish this object, the doubling point of the yarns must be retained at a sufficient distance from the drafting rolls to permit the necessary separate twisting of the individual yarns, as already stated. Obviously, the nearer the doubling or meeting point of the two arms of the fork approaches the bight line of the drafting rolls, the less the amount of twist that is imparted to each yarn or each arm of the fork.

lltccordingly, it will. be noted that the yarns are doubled at or about the guide 3, and to permit each roving to be separately spun prior thereto the two rovings are separated on the drafting rolls, as stated, substantially three inches. It will. be clear that this separate spinning of each yarn could not be effected if the rovings were fed between the drafting rolls very near each other as, particularly if wool, they would run together during the spinning action and necessarily would be doubled inucl'i nearer the drafting rolls than is the case according to my improved method.

H Another important advantage is gained by the use of my improved method, and that is the production of a smoother thread. In spinning, the loose fibres of that part of each roving that is free, i. e. between the rolls 0, 0, and the bobbin, tend to fly outwardly making a thread *ith a rough surface or beard, and obviously the fibres will be thrown out to a much greater extent under the usual method of spinning where the single roving is carried from the feed rolls 0, c, to the spindle, owing to the greater Sit distance between the two, than in the case where the single rovings are doubled at or near the pot-eye, thereby shortening the length of the free rovings from which the fibres are thrown out.

After reaching the pot-eye, the inulti-plies of roving being twisted tightly about each other, each acts to prevent the throwing out or the loose fibres :trom the other as now happens, and the result is that the rovings brought together and twisted by my improved process, have a. very much smoother surface than thread first spun and then again twisted in the opposite direction by the present riiethod. The fact that by my novel method, the spinnirig-twist and the twisting-twist are effected in the same direction, facilitates this result, because, now practiced, the spinning-twist in the thread is taken out to some extent by the eii'ec'ting of the twistingtwist in the opposite direc tion, thus permitting the fibres to be thrown out somewhat during the second twisting.

By my improved method, the step of bringing together and twisting, as a separate step in the production oi multi-ply threads, is entirely eliminated, because such operations are etieeted simultaneously as one operation with the initial spinning. llt will be evident that my improved method results in a very large reduction in the cost of socalled spinning operation, owing to the fact that the number of spindles is cut down 50%, together with all the parts necessary for the operation of the same, including the tension tape band, etc, tin separators are not needed, and the labor, including dorling. is reduced by 00%. The number of delivery rollers is not reduced, nor is their output. On the contrary, the speed of the spindles may be reduced, saving wear and tear, and the speed of the delivery rollers increased because the output of the latter may be increased with the decrease of speed of the spindles and the degree of twisting effected.

Fi'irthermore, alter spinning and twisting the thread by the common method, it is subsequently wound from one or more bobbins on to a large spool or container known as a package, which is too large to be used economically on a spinning frame, because its use would necessitate placing the spools so far apart as to reduce seriously the number 03. them that could be used in a given lioor space.

By my improved process more room is naturally provided on the machine for each bobbin, thus leaving room for the use of an enlarged bobbin or package on which the spun and twisted yarn can be initially \vound, thus materially reducing the cost of subsequent \vi nding operations.

While machines have been devised which attempt to simultaneously impart a twist to individual threads and subsequently a twisting twist thereto in the opposite direction, l do not know of any method for simultaneously spinning, doubling or bringing together a plurality of rovings, and twisting them again in the same direction and winding them on a container.

In the foregoing specification the word roving has been used generally to designate the roving at all times between the drawing rolls and the 'pot eye, but, or course, it is understood that before each roving reaches the pot eye it has become separately spun and substantially completed thread or yarn.

My invention is not limited specifically to the foregoing described method of practicing it but indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims:

1. The method of producing a multi-ply yarn consisting oi? simultaneously and as one operation spinning a plurality of rovings into substantially complete individual yarns while at the same time varying the spinning twist in 'each yarn by progres sivcly ii'icreasing the length oil -one yarn "and decreasing the length of another yarn while feeding them at substantially the same speed, and then twisting them together.

2. The method of producing a separable multisply worsted yarn consisting in simultaneously and as one operation spinning a plurality of individual 'rovings into substantially complete individual yarns while \arying the spinning twist in each yarn by constantly increasing and then diminishing the length of the yarns while feeding them at substantially the same speed and then doubling them and winding the multi-ply yarn on a container.

3. The method of producing a multi-ply yarn consisting in feeding a plurality of rovings at progressively varying angles separately and directly to a single gui'de, thereby progressively varying the lengths of the rovings, while spinning each roving substantially to a complete thread, folding and twisting them together and winding them on a container.

l. The method of producing a niul'ti-ply worsted yarn consisting in simultaneously spinning a plurality of ro'vings to substan 'tially complete yarns while feeding them separately and laterally at progressively varying angles to a single guide thereby progressively varying the lengths of the 'rovings, twisting them together and winding them on a container.

5. The method of forming a multiply yarn consisting in feeding a plurality of rovings at progressively varying angles to the same guide and progressively changing the lengths of the rovings, spinning them to substantially complete threads approximately to the guide, folding them near the guide and imparting a folding twist to the folded threads in the same direction as the spinning twist in the individual threads.

6. The method of spinning and twisting a multi-ply yarn consisting in spinning a plurality of rovings while feeding them directly and separately to a single guide, simultaneously moving the rovings laterally relative to the guide thus causing each roving to become alternately longer and shorter than its mate, and thereby produc ing in each roving a succession of progressively hard and soft spun sections, and folding and twisting them together.

7. The method of forming a multi-ply yarn consisting in feeding at substantially uniform. speed a plurality of rovings directly and separately to a single pot-eye,"

spinning each roving first progressively hard and then progressively soft to a substantially complete thread as it is fed toward the pot-eye, folding the rovings near the pot-eye, and tying down the free fibres of one roving by twisting the other roving about them.

8. The method of forming a multiply yarn consisting in progressively varying the lengths of a plurality of rovings by feeding them at different angles directly and separately to a single pot-eye, spinning each roving to a substantially complete thread as it is fed towards the pot-eye, folding the rovings near the pot-eye, and tying down the free fibers of one roving by twisting the other roving about them in the direction of the spinning twist.

9. The method of spinning and twisting a multi-ply yarn in one operation consisting in drawing a plurality of roving strands toward each other, imparting to each strand a spinning twist in the same direction, imparting lateral movement to the strands whereby one strand becomes alternately longer and shorter than its mate, doubling and twisting the double strands in the same direction as the spinning twist, the planes of the lines of travel of the strands between the drafting rolls being at unequal distances from the meeting point of the strands.

10. The method of producing a multi-ply worsted in one operation, consisting in drawing a plurality of rovings simultaneously through the drafting rolls at substantially uniform speed, spinning the rovings individually in the same direction first progressively hard and then progressively soft between rolls and the pot-eye to form separate complete yarns, doubling them at the pot-eye, and twisting the doubled yarns in the same direction below the pot-eye as the spinning twist. 4

11. The method of producing a 1nulti-ply yarn consisting in feeding a plurality of rovings of progressively varying lengths at regularly progressively and alternately increasing and diminishing angles to a common guide while imparting a spinning twist thereto, and doubling the spun rovings in the same direction as the spinning twist.

12. The method of simultaneously spinning and doubling a plurality of rovings whereby they are fed between a plurality of sets of drafting rolls alternately first near one end thereof and then near the opposite end to a single pot-eye, and then doubled and wound upon the bobbin.

13. The method of simultaneouslyspinning, twisting or doubling a plurality of rovings whereby the spinning twist is first imparted to the individual rovings between the drafting rolls and the guide by feeding the rovings from the rolls at such distance apart as will cause the rovings to be spun into substantially completed yarns, and simultaneously causing them to travel from one end of th delivering rolls toward the opposite end thereof, and whereby the doubling twist, as part of the same operation is simultaneously imparted beyond the guide to the doubled rovings, as they are wound on the bobbin.

14. The method of forming a multi-ply yarn comprising the feeding of a plurality of rovings at predetermined and changing angles to a common guide thereby controlling the length of the individual rovings subject to the effect of the spinning twist, imparting sufficient spinning twist thereto to form substantially completed yarns, and subse quently doubling the yarns thereby formed as one operation.

15. The method of spinning comprising the feeding of a plurality of rovings from a drafting roll to a guide at substantially uniform speed at varying angles while imparting a spinning twist to the rovings,

producing in the yarn a series of progressively hard and. soft spun sections.

16. The method of forming a multi-ply yarn comprising the feeding at substantially uniform speed of a plurality of rovings at predetermined and varying angles to each other, to a common guide of a spin ning mechanism which permits the spinning twist to enter into each of said rovings before their union, thereby imparting sufficient spinning twist to each of said rovings to form substantially completely spun yarns, and subsequently doubling the yarns so formed, all as one continuous operation.

17. That method of forming a multi-ply yarn comprising drawing and twisting each of said plurality of rovings as substantially equal speed and varying angles before their union and so as thereby to complete the spinning of said rovings before their union and subsequently doubling the yarns so spun, all as one continuous operation.

18. That method of forming a multi-ply yarn comprising the feeding at substantially equal speed and different angles of a ill plura ty- Qr Q -i g w om u d f a spinningmechanism; drawing and twisting each of said rovings separately before they reach said common guide and subsequently aft-er passing said common guide doublingsaid spun yarns together, all as one continuous operation.

19. The method of forming a multi-ply yarn, comprising the feeding of a plurality of rovings from predetermined points at or near the delivery rolls to a common guide forming the apex of the triangle thus created, and simultaneously severally spinning said plurality of rovings and changing the positions of the rovings on the rolls and thereby controlling the angularity and the length of the roving ends thus fed be-,

tween the rolls and guide andthe amount of spin etl'eeted in the separate ends, and subsequently doubling the ends together, all as a continuous operation.

20. The methodof spinning and twisting a yarn one operation, consisting in draws ing a plurality of roving strands toward each other, imparting to each Stmnd' a spinning twist in. the. same direction, imparting lateral movement to. the strands whereby one strand becomes alternately longer and shorter than its mate, doubling and twisting the doubled strands in the same direction as the spinning twist, the planes of the. lines of travel of the strands between the drafting rolls being at times at unequal distances. from the meeting point of the strands.

21. The method of producing a multi-ply yarn consisting in simultaneously and as one operation spinning a plurality of rov ings into substantially complete individual yarns to be twisted together, while at the same time creating a different spinning twist in said respective yarns by controlling the angularity of feedingapproach of said plurality of roving-s to the twisting location, and twisting together said P111,

means are; of rev ses he e y Q t i ga xture or blend thereof.

22- T e me h d at p odu i g- & -P y yarn consisting in simultaneously and as one operation spinning two, rovings into substantially complete yarns to be twisted together into a mixture. or blend, while, at the same time creating a different spinning twist in said two yarns (so that one becomes the leader in the spin by controlling the angularity ot the feeding approach of said rovings to the twisting loeation and as a part of said operation twisting together said two, rovings,

23. The method of producing a multi-ply yarn consisting in simultaneously and as one Op rati pin i a p u a ity t revises into substantially complete individual yarns t b w d ogether at a c mm n g i between the delivery rolls and the: point of winding the twisted yarnsby causing one of said yarns to be. the leading yarn in the spin through controlling the angularity of, the feed of the yarns, thereby causing a mixture or blend of said yarns in; contradisn ien w reppedy rn, d as a p t of said operation twisting together said spun re -leg ?A The method of producing a multi-ply yarn consisting in simultaneously and as one operation spinning two roving sinto substantially complete yarn-s to; be twisted toset-he at a mma sn de b w th livery rolls and the point of winding the twisted yarns by causing one ot said yarns tobe t e ading: yar n he spin through trellins he nsular y the e e two. yarns, thereby causing a mixture or blend 0 1% the two, yarns in contradistinction to a Wrapped yarn and as; a part of said; operation twisting together said;- spun rovmegs,

In tes menr w e eof, I ha e signed y ame s pec fi a i n- TQM. F R ST- 

